Over 68 players drawn from Argentina, England, South Africa and Nigeria have been listed for the 2025 Port Harcourt International Polo Tournament billed to hold from Saturday to January 28.
The tournament, which will be hosted by the Port Harcourt Polo Club in collaboration with the Nigerian Polo Association (NPA), will also attract some players from West African clubs as well as the cream of Nigerian stars.
Over the years, the event has attracted polo patrons and enthusiasts from Nigeria and beyond, making the tournament of the major flagships of the sport in Nigeria.
Explaining the programme for the tournament, president of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, Prince Henry Agbodjan, noted that the event, themed ‘Unity in Motion,’ aims to provide a lively and enjoyable experience for polo enthusiasts nationwide.
He added that, apart from the matches, attendees could also look forward to entertainment shows and opportunities to purchase items at affordable rates from the tournament’s Micro Market.
Agbodjan, who said that “the event will serve as a major commercial boost for the Rivers State economy,” thanked the state government and the tournament’s sponsors for their support and called on the media to raise awareness to further promote the sport of polo in Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the tournament, Dolapo Attoni, said this year’s tournament is expected to surpass previous editions, showcasing the finest polo players from Nigeria and around the globe.
He said: “About 60 players from 20 teams across Nigeria and eight players from Argentina, England, and South Africa will compete for four trophies and other prizes.”
According to Attoni, the participating teams include two each from Adamawa, Plateau, Kano, Katsina, three from Lagos, one from Nasarawa and eight from Rivers.
“The teams are categorised into high goal, medium goal, and low goal teams. They will compete for four trophies comprising the TY Danjuma Cup, Alfred Diette Spiff Cup, TJT Princewill Cup, and Governor’s Cup.
“Trophies, medals and individual prizes will be awarded to winners and runners-up, while sponsors and individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth of polo in Nigeria will also be recognised.”
Attoni, who also serves as the vice president of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, said that matches will hold daily between 12.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m.
Meanwhile, the captain of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, Ikenna Nebolisa, has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to compete successfully for the available trophies.